The following are three recent research developments concerning the Autism Spectrum Disorders
Dr. Ricardo Dolmetsch
Stem Cell Possiblities in Autism Research
Dr. Thomas R. Insel
Dr. Ricardo Dolmetsch from Stanford University and his colleagues have generated stem cells from children with autism allowing them to study how the brain develops in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The motivations for this research occurred when a child with autism spectrum was born to Dr. Dolmetsch and his wife . In a video interview with With Dr. Thomas Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, he described how this event led to change in the direction of the research that he had previously been doing.
Stem cells can be made from skin cells or blood cells. The stem cell has the capacity to make any cell in the body including brain cells. Dr. Dometsch explained how he has been able to take skin cells from his own child with autistm and make little pieces of brain which can be analyzed as to their development and function. One of preliminary findings is that some autistic children are making too many cells that produce dopamine, a chemical that transmits signals to various cells in the brain and nervous system. This provides a potential target for future therapeutic research. To see a video clip of this interview please go to: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/media/video/dolmetsch.shtml
Increased Incidence of Autism Spectrum in Children
In an earlier interview, Dr. Insel interviewed Dr. Peter Bearman, Professor of Sociology at Columbia University, on his research into the prevalence of autism. It is s quite remarkable that in the past several years the prevalence has increased from 1 in 1500 births to 1 in 150 births. If one just looks at Autism Spectrum, the prevalence may be 1 in 100 births. Some of these statistics may be due to the fact that there has been a change in the diagnostic critieria which would include more children to fit into this diagnosis. This may account for ¼ of this
Dr. Peter Bearman
increase. Another important discovery which may influence these statistics is the discovery that there are certain relatively small geographic areas called “spatial clustering” where there is an apparent very high incidence of the diagnosis of ASD. This raises the possibility of some toxic agent in this area. There also is the consideration that such an increase incidence is due person to person education and awareness which allows for cases of ASD not to be missed and therefore a higher reported rate. One other factor which may account for the increased incidence in the diagnosis of autism and ASD is the fact that people are having children at a later age. It has been postulated that increased parental age leads to mutations which are associated with this condition. To see a video clip of this interview please go to : http://www.nimh.nih.gov/media/video/bearman.shtml
Repetitive Behaviors in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders Significantly Lessen With Antidepressant Treatment
In News release from the American Psychiatric Assoication dated 12/2/11 it was reported that a .12-week study showed that the antidepressant fluoxetine produced a greater decrease in repetitive behaviors and more overall improvement than placebo in adults with autism spectrum disorders. The study by Eric Hollander, M.D., of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center and colleagues from Mt. Sinai School of Medicine represents the first large-scale, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of fluoxetine in adults that targeted changes in the core domain
Dr. Eric Hollander
of repetitive behaviors as well as overall functioning. Overall improvement in autistic symptoms occurred in 35% of individuals receiving fluoxetine and none of those receiving placebo. Half of the individuals in the fluoxetine group experienced substantial improvement in their repetitive behaviors (versus 8% of those receiving placebo). Previous trials of treatments for these disorders have mostly tested interventions for children. An earlier high-profile trial of another antidepressant, citalopram, did not reduce repetitive behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders.
Although treatments for common characteristics have been studied, Dr. Hollander notes, “Research on medications for the core features of autism spectrum disorders is still in the early stages, and successful treatments could greatly improve the daily lives of patients and their families. The full study will be published in a future edition of the American Journal of Psychiatry
